Toy building elements.



H. C. HARRISONlv TOY BUILDING ELEMENTS. APPLoATIoN FILED JUNE 21, 1913.

1,095,858. Patenteamay, v1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. C. HARRISON. TOY BUILDING ELEMENTS.

APPLIOATloN FILED JUNE 21, 1913.

1,095,858. Patented May 5, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES INVENTOR f C. u WZC Z 7e7z7 @riavvia UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFTQE.

iIENRr criannns HARRISON, or ISIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

TOY BUILDYING Applicatonidled Tune 21, 1.913. `Serial No. 775,121.l

T0 all whom t may concern.' Be 1t known that I, HENRY Cuantas insoN, subject of the King of ,Great Britain,

residing at L"Stoneleighf Mayleld" Moseley, Birmingham, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toy Building Elements, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to elements employed for building toy structures, such as toy bridges= cranes, and other objects, the said elements being of that type consisting of lengths of tubing provided at one or both ends with a clip or clips whereby they may be detachably or interchangeably connected together. Previously such elements have been of a square section and have been provided with clips having parallel straight jaws but according to the present invention they are formed of a circular cross-section and provided at one or both ends with a pair of substantially semi-circular or bow-shaped spring jaws, whose extremities are bent outward into leads whereby they may be readil v engaged or sprung over the shank or body part of another element. The circular cross-section of the elements permits of their being connected together in any position in a plane at right angles to one another.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings shows, by way of example, a model of a crane formed by building element-s constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 shows on a larger scale a number of the building elements illustrating more clearly the manner in which they are connected together. Fig. 3 is a further view of a number of elements connected together. Fig. 4 shows several views of a single elenient. Fig. 5 illust-rates elevational and cross-sectional views of an element which is formed with an attachment clip at one end only.

The same reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in each of the iigures.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 each of the building elements l is formed from a single sheet metal blank which is bent up into the form of a circular sectioned tube, the said tube having an open joint 2 formed by the opposed edges of the blank and extending longitudinally down one side, as shown in Fig. 4. The tube is also spilt at each end at 3 for a portion of its length sov that a slight resiliency is imparted to its walls. It is Specification of Letters lyatent.

lPatented May 5, A1914.

further formed at the said ends with a pair of integral spring jaws or clips 4, which are OP 3.05@ 59.621011 Othel.' and .bowed outwardly an ladapted to be sprung over the shank or body part of an adjacent or other tube member or building element, so as to firmly grip same, so that the two tubes or elements are securely but detachably connected together.

The extremities of the spring aws or clips 4 are bent outward and formed into lips 5 so as to constitute a lead for enabling said clips to be readily and easily engaged with the element to which they are to be connected the engagement of the jaws being further facilitated owing to the walls of the element with which they are engaged giving slightly to the pressure. Some of the elements l may be formed with a clip or pair of jaws 4 at one end only as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The said tubes or elements are preferably formed of a circular cross-section, as abo-ve described, so as to admit of any two elements being connected together in any position in a plane at right angles to one another. Terminal ornaments may be secured to any of the elements of the structure by means of clips in a similar manner.

Having fully described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is i. A toy building element consisting of a hollow, cylindrical tube having a terminal clip which is formed integral therewith and comprises a pair of opposed substantially bow-shaped spring jaws whose extremities are bent outward to form leads.

2. A toy building element consisting of a hollow, cylindrical tube which is split longitudinally and provided with a terminal clip, said clip being formed integral with said tube and comprising a pair of opposed substantially bow-shaped spring jaws whose extremities are bent outward to form leads.

3. A toy building element formed from a single sheet metal blank which is bent up into CIJ ico'

of its lengh at a point cliuinetiieally oppel fue bent ounvmi'd to form leads7 said jaws site to the said gap, Suid tube being provided being formed integral With Said tube.

with n terminal Clip eompfising a pair of 3 ln testimony whereof I have hereunto set opposed substantially bow shaped j uws l my hund in presence of two subscribing Wit- 5 whose extremities are bent outward to form ll nesses.

leads. T T A toy building element consisting of :i HEIN RY CHARLES HARRISON hollow, cylindrical split tube, having, ati Witnesses: each end, u pair of opposed substantially VILLIAM STAITES SKERRETT, 10 bow shaped spring jews Whose exti'einiies l RICHARD GITTINGS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

